Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic - Memory Loss Information

Having Memory loss can be scary for you or your family member. We are here to assist you. Come to Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic for a thorough evaluation.

Facts about Memory Loss

• Florida is 4th in the nation for dementia
• Certain diseases increase the risk of Alzheimer's (diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Alzheimer's is NOT a normal part of aging.

Download the Memory Disorder Clinic Brochure

10 Reversible Causes of Memory Loss

Low Vitamin B-12	Low Thyroid
Anemia	Depression
Urinary Tract Infection	Alcohol Abuse
Sleep Apnea	Lack of Sleep
Stress	Prescription Medication Side Effects

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Who May Benefit

An evaluation at the Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic may be beneficial if you or a loved one exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

• Difficulty performing everyday tasks


• Loss of initiative


• Memory loss


• Repeating statements or questions


• Difficulty in judgment or concentration


• Misplacing things in unusual places


• Difficulty with speech, reading, writing or communicating


• Personality, mood or behavior changes


• Disorientation to time or place


• Problems with abstract thinking

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Evaluation

The Baptist Memory Disorder Clinic offers an outpatient evaluation that includes:

• A thorough neurological evaluation and review of medical documentation by a neurologist to assess brain function and nervous system to search for reversible factors in memory problems. The neurologist may also order blood work, brain imaging, and other diagnostic tests as appropriate.


• Psychosocial assessment by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to help patients and families evaluate their emotional, environmental and safety needs. The social worker assists patients and families in developing management plans that include resources and referrals within the community. Follow-up telephone call and support services are provided after the initial evaluation.


• Neuropsychological testing by a neuro-psychologist is provided to assess areas of mental function such as memory, verbal and written comprehension, reasoning and coordination. These tests are age and education corrected.


• An evaluation summary conference with the patient and caregiver is provided and includes a review of the diagnosis, referrals and recommendations.

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Some Common Types of Dementia and Their Typical Characteristics

• Alzheimer's Disease - Most common type of dementia: accounts for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of cases.
  Difficulty remembering names and recent events is often an early clinical symptom; apathy and depression are also often early symptoms. Later symptoms include impaired judgment, disorientation, confusion, behavior changes and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
  
  
• Vascular Dementia - Considered the second most common type of dementia.
  Impairment is caused by decreased blood flow to parts of the brain, often due to a series of small strokes that block arteries. Symptoms often overlap with those of Alzheimer's, although memory may not be as seriously affected.
  
  
• Mixed Dementia - Characterized by the hallmark abnormalities of Alzheimer's and another type of dementia - most commonly vascular dementia, but also other types, such as dementia with Lewy bodies.
  Recent studies suggest that mixed demential is more common that previously thought.
  
  
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies - Pattern of decline may be similar to Alzheimer's, including problems with memory and judgement as well as behavior changes.
  Alertness and severity of cognitive symptoms may fluctuate daily.
  
  Visual hallucinations, muscle rigidity and tremors ace common.
  
  Hallmarks include Lewy bodies that form inside nerve cells in the brain.
  
  
• Parkinson's Disease - Many people who have Parkinson's Disease also develop dementia in the later stages of the disease.
  
  The hallmark abnormality is Lewy bodies that form inside nerve cells in the brain.
  
  
• Frontotemporal Dementia - Involves damage to brain cells, especially in the front and side regions of the brain.
  
  Typical symptoms include changes in personality and behavior and difficulty with language.
  
  (No distinguishing microscopic abnormality is linked to all cases.)
  
  
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease - Rapidly fatal disorder that impairs memory and coordination and causes behavior changes.
  
  Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is believed to be caused by consumption of products from cattle affected by mad cow disease.
  
  Caused by the misfolding of prion protein throughout the brain.
  
  
• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus - Caused by the buildup of fluid in the brain.
  
  Symptoms include difficulty walking, memory loss and inability to control urination.
  
  Can sometimes be corrected with surgical installation of a shunt in the brain to drain excess fluid.